Tom, I share your PTSD! The company line of the old Montecito Association was NO CHANGE ever, even if for the better. Brick paved pedestrian walkways from the Biltmore to cross Channel Dr? NO they initially said! Replace the strip of dirt and gravel that hurt our kids feet with grass along the Channel Dr sidewalk? NO they initially said! Safe Paths to School you speak about to MUS? NO they initialy said! THEN when these improvements are fought for and actually happen, at NO cost to the Montecito Association they take credit for it!!! Hahahaha. Diabolical.
Fortunately, it does seem that we have a better, more community-focused group at the Montececito Association these days. Cheers to that.
Some of the quirky 80s stuff is so weird that it has to become cool again. C’mon, how can you not think planters inside are cool.
Also, that Mesa party room is incredible for what it is.
I recently tried Gracie for an early brunch and will not be returning. The menu is extremely limited, making it difficult for anyone with dietary concerns to find something suitable. For a place positioning itself as a destination, this lack of inclusivity is unacceptable. Service was equally disappointing—we had to repeatedly ask for basic refills like coffee and water.
Gracie is yet another example of a Santa Barbara restaurant trying too hard to be hip while overlooking the fundamentals: quality food, attentive service, and an atmosphere that welcomes families. By contrast, the old Breakwater succeeded because it was dependable—classic diner-style meals, well-prepared entrées, and a place where kids and grandkids were always comfortable. Gracie offers none of that—just style without substance.
Still no info on fro yo Lovin Spoonful on the mesa? I wonder what happened there.
Agreed! The new path is in on San Leandro but people still walk down the middle of the road expecting everyone to go around them, it’s dangerous and frustrating.
El Siteo on Salinas
Now, if only people and their pets would use the new walking paths along San Leandro Road as opposed to walking down the middle of the street as if it were their own personal sidewalk; allowing vehicles to pass unobstructed :)
Translation from entitlement to reality : someone was doing their job and it annoyed me.
Pony up funding, Tom.
Is there a way to STOP wing stop from popping up all over? yuk!
Great Question - it is a mess and such an eyesore! The other day some shiftless workers there were aimlessly blowing crowds of dust at us while we dined at Honor Bar
The sport court (pickleball? Something else?) on the property line right next to the house.
RE: 1907 Coyote, when you say a neighbor not everyone will love, I'm curious what you mean? The link just shows an overhead satellite picture of the property.
Re: Sidewalks? Some of us still have nightmares over the Montecito Association going Full Bare-Knuckle Barrister Litigation against the Montecito School District over the need for a sidewalk/walkway/path so the kids didn't have to walk literally ON San Ysidro Road to and from school. That was a million dollars the school district had to incinerate to placate The Power Brokers of Montecito. I'm sure glad it didn't get wasted on instruction and teacher salaries and curricula. /s/
I don't know what's in the water supply at the Montecito Association offices-- but it needs to be checked.
Good on the Bucket Brigade for taking these on, but if the Association was as useful as they claim? They wouldn't oppose "walking" quite this strenuously. What a place.
Great news that Bucket Brigade will be installing a walking path on Middle Road starting this November. That's a tricky street to walk down but many people do since it leads to Coast Village Road. I'll be doing a lot less driving once that goes in.
Environmental NIMBY'ism sucks and has worse overall environmental outcomes. But hey, it's keeps our backyards clean!
You're right, nobody has ever gotten hit accidentally crossing those tracks at Santa Claus Lane. That's a long beach, all it will do is make it harder to reach. If they are insistent on "official" crossing points then install 2 or 3.
“Although the Sable controversy is the most crucial and immediate concern to Santa Barbara”- I beg to differ 😂
We like Third Window Brewery, SB public market and Los Agaves for kid friendly atmosphere combined with good food.
The city is highly inefficient and failing its citizens. It prioritizes projects over addressing resident needs. Laws are not enforced, particularly with a construction project on our street, ongoing for over a year. Issues include:People living at the construction site.
Illegal sidewalk blockages for weeks.
Disruptive work, like Sunday night jackhammering or window removal at 9:30 PM.
Complaints through the city’s portal are ignored, though direct emails to officials is the way to get responses. To get results, persistently email ALL department officials and CC the city council. For example, permit delays of up to four months can only be resolved through relentless follow-ups with officials and the council.
Phone calls don't work, now that you can ever get a hold of anyone. The portal certainly doesn't work. There are some great departments and people coming through for the citizens, but for the most part, they have made it a system in the city of complacency, delays, denying… It's ashamed. But it's most cities in Southern California.
I'd rather allow dogs than kids, anywhere. Hotels, planes or restaurants. Most are better behaved and most you'd never know are there. And to say to not have fogs on planes, I bet there's been dogs on planes you've been on but you definitely didn't know they were there. You can't say that about kids.
"Elevated." JFC, that deserves immediate abolishment! :^)
Hey, at least they're inventive and don't sound like the same ole same ole foodie places that take themselves so seriously. This is fun, creative and different than the yawn inducing takes from yet another pizza/italian spot.
Much of the "Hell" tenants must go through has more to do with the City/County simply covering their ass and enforcing the onerous requirements of the California Building Code. I made some minor tenant improvements to a fitness studio many years ago (removing walls, installing new recessed lights, and reconfiguring a bathroom, among other things), and the permit process took eight months to complete. In our first-round resubmittal, we learned that a remodel exceeding 50% of the building's valuation or floor area often triggers the installation of a new fire sprinkler system throughout the entire building, not just our unit. Luckily, our landlord paid for it. Even worse, we were asked to provide an ADA accessibility study, since our small TI project triggered ADA requirements to reconfigure the parking lot, parking spaces, etc. On top of that, I was required to hire engineers to complete an electrical plan and a plumbing plan. I could go on and on...it was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life - and you will not get any empathy from people who work at the city. I'm no expert, but it seems that reform is needed at the state level. With that said, there is still plenty the city/county can do to streamline the permitting process and make it easier for new businesses.
I'm surprised the descriptor "elevated" wasn't used here as well, the bs spin doctors are moving on to even higher levels of infinity..
Chick-fil-A has been planning to open a restaurant there for years. I tried asking a few months ago whether it's still a go, but I got no response.
